Getting home after laser eye surgery

[User775535786]

Anyone who has had laser eye surgery - were you (or would you have been able to) get a train home alone after surgery? Or do you need someone with you afterwards?

It wouldn't have been easy but I could probably have done it - I got someone to drive me and spent the whole time back with my eyes closed as it hurt too much to open them - like I had sand in them. Ask for more anaesthetic eyedrops before you leave and it might be an easier journey

I got a taxi home alone as there was no one to help but personally There's no way I would have been able to get public transport. After about 20 mins my eyes were watering like mad and they were very sensitive. I sat in the car home with my eyes shut like the PP as it was difficult to keep them open.

My husband drove me home, my eyes were very light sensitive, even with sunglasses on. I sat with my eyes shut all the way home, it does pass but you need to get a lift

Thanks everyone, that's very useful - a taxi it is then! The surgery is in Central London so a lift isn't really possible

I thought it would be ok by train alone
I did it
I wouldn’t do it again, it was a bad call.

Don't know about laser surgery but I had cataract laser surgery this year and agree, eyes were really light sensitive and spent journey home in sunglasses with my eyes closed. Can't imagine being able to negotiate public transport

Last year even

I was told to keep my eyes closed for a few hours after!

My eyes were so watery and sensitive that I basically couldn’t open them until the next morning. I couldn’t have got home alone.

My partner got the train home alone and he said it was a really big mistake. The painkillers wore off before he'd even got on the train and he basically couldn't focus on anything. He really struggled.

I definitely couldn't have driven, they were sensitive and a few hours later became quite painful. Lift or taxi definitely.

I had my eyes done separately- the operated one was covered, but I could see from the other, albeit a bit fuzzily the first time, as that one was still uncorrected. I walked/got the tube from Moorfields.

But I think if you're having both done at once, then a taxi is definitely a good call.

I had the op on both eyes alone due to childcare issues. DH was supposed to meet me outside but I couldn't find him because I couldn't see. I could barely see the numbers on my phone to call him either. I don't remember it hurting at that point- just that the drops had dilated my eyes so much and it was bright and blurry but with patches of 20/20 vision. All I wanted was to be led to the car and sit with my eyes closed.

I had mine done a couple of years ago, there’s no way I would’ve been able to catch a train home afterwards - not without an accident anyway.

I had the same dilemma, the surgeon told me I should definitely get a taxi home and I'm glad I did.

My eyes felt fine after laser surgery, but only for about an hour then the anaesthetic drops wore off! The advice was go to bed for a couple of hours wearing your insect eye shades , and this worked, I was able to use the extra pain killing and antibiotic drops for a few days but they were quite tricky to put in at first. I really would not have wanted to be travelling for longer than an hour . We got a taxi home, driving myself would have been impossible (and anyway parking was a no no) and I would worry that there could be a hold up on public transport.

Thanks everyone, definitely a taxi then

What about the next day? I have an aftercare appointment the next day (again, in London). Would a train be doable after a day? A lift to Cetral London isn't an option, and a taxi there and back will be very expensive so hoping to avoid having to do it twice if possible...

I probably could have but definitely better not to risk it and get a taxi. The day after yes I would have been absolutely fine to get public transport, they told me I could drive after 24 hours and I think I probably could have, but left it a few days just to be on the safe side.

I decided to catch the train back from Central London after both eyes were lasered. Not a good option, I could barely see enough to get up the platform safely. I can't honestly remember what they were like the next day, apologies.

Good luck OP, I had laser eye surgery in 2008, best money I have ever spent, life changing. Taxi is your best bet. I recovered well, had to use two different eye drops I think 4 times a day and wear eye shields night.

I got the tube out to dinner!

the eye was all bandaged up but the other was fine

Best decision I ever made. Definitely a cab home. Sleep the minute you get in. Next day will be fine to get back into London

@User775535786

Thanks everyone, definitely a taxi then

What about the next day? I have an aftercare appointment the next day (again, in London). Would a train be doable after a day? A lift to Cetral London isn't an option, and a taxi there and back will be very expensive so hoping to avoid having to do it twice if possible...

The next day everything was fine, I travelled to my aftercare by tube and bus, I did wear sunglasses , mostly to protect against dust. Hope you enjoy the experience of unaided good vision, it’s a great feeling.

Thanks everyone

How do you go about picking somewhere reputable for lazer eye surgery?